But I want to know what that essence is for people! (*stamps foot and looks sulky*) What're the things that, when you take them away, stop the lads from being the lads in a fic..?!
I'm very much in the minority here, I realize! I guess my problem with AUs is that -- just speaking for myself, obviously -- once you remove B/D from the CI5 universe, they become simple character types -- classic character types -- and much of what you call "essence" is no more unique to Doyle and Bodie than any attractive romantic male lead in any work of M/M fiction. The difference being that this audience for AU has the same advantage of any fan fic reader -- she's going into it with certain understanding and expectation of what these two types will be like : mostly looks and mannerisms/quirks.
To those of us who can't stand AU, it's pretty much impossible to remove Doyle and Bodie from the CI5 universe because the job is intrinsic to them. The job has more than partially shaped who they are -- and the fact that they are attracted to that kind of job, that they love their job and are so ruthlessly good at it -- speaks more than anything to who they are. The show isn't called Doyle and Bodie, it's called The Professionals, and I think that's a deliberate choice -- unlike Starsky and Hutch, for example, who seemed much less focused about what their prime directive was, though granted they were just ordinary detectives and not a secret organization with special powers.
For me, the essence of B/D and that show is that they are professionals, the lethal best at what they do, focused, deadly, elite team -- ultimately loyal to no one but each other.
If you change that, than you've changed for me what is the essence of those characters. Prequels and sequels to their CI5 existence, still work for me, but a total AU...no.
I shouldn't say no, because I've now read some entertaining AUs, and I've really enjoyed them, but Doyle and Bodie are are no longer Doyle and Bodie for me, except in looks. Professional Dreamer being a clever exception.
So coming from that angle, it's fascinating to listen to you all talk about the "essence" of these characters, and try to define and isolate it. Your experience is so different from mine.
And I'm curious: if Bodie and Doyle are described in completely different physical terms: Doyle, broad and blonde and blue-eyed, Bodie, slim and slight and brown-eyed with a ponytail...how much does that effect your perception of their characters? Do they have to look the same? Does essence have anything to do with physical appearance?
no subject
I'm very much in the minority here, I realize! I guess my problem with AUs is that -- just speaking for myself, obviously -- once you remove B/D from the CI5 universe, they become simple character types -- classic character types -- and much of what you call "essence" is no more unique to Doyle and Bodie than any attractive romantic male lead in any work of M/M fiction. The difference being that this audience for AU has the same advantage of any fan fic reader -- she's going into it with certain understanding and expectation of what these two types will be like : mostly looks and mannerisms/quirks.
To those of us who can't stand AU, it's pretty much impossible to remove Doyle and Bodie from the CI5 universe because the job is intrinsic to them. The job has more than partially shaped who they are -- and the fact that they are attracted to that kind of job, that they love their job and are so ruthlessly good at it -- speaks more than anything to who they are. The show isn't called Doyle and Bodie, it's called The Professionals, and I think that's a deliberate choice -- unlike Starsky and Hutch, for example, who seemed much less focused about what their prime directive was, though granted they were just ordinary detectives and not a secret organization with special powers.
For me, the essence of B/D and that show is that they are professionals, the lethal best at what they do, focused, deadly, elite team -- ultimately loyal to no one but each other.
If you change that, than you've changed for me what is the essence of those characters. Prequels and sequels to their CI5 existence, still work for me, but a total AU...no.
I shouldn't say no, because I've now read some entertaining AUs, and I've really enjoyed them, but Doyle and Bodie are are no longer Doyle and Bodie for me, except in looks. Professional Dreamer being a clever exception.
So coming from that angle, it's fascinating to listen to you all talk about the "essence" of these characters, and try to define and isolate it. Your experience is so different from mine.
And I'm curious: if Bodie and Doyle are described in completely different physical terms: Doyle, broad and blonde and blue-eyed, Bodie, slim and slight and brown-eyed with a ponytail...how much does that effect your perception of their characters? Do they have to look the same? Does essence have anything to do with physical appearance?